West Brom striker Daryl Dike to miss USMNT matches as he focuses on recovery
West Brom striker Daryl Dike will be omitted from upcoming USA matches as he focuses on his recovery from injury, Steve Bruce has confirmed.
The American forward arrived in January and was almost immediately ruled out long term with a knee injury, which it subsequently turned out had ended his season.
There were concerns that his availability for the start of next season could be affected if he was selected for four internationals in June, but after a conversation with USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter that won’t be a problem.
Bruce said, via The Athletic: “I spoke to Gregg this week.
“They have been very very sensible and they understand the situation.
“Daryl will not be involved in the internationals.
“There’s another one in September so that is what he is focusing on.
“It’s good for Daryl too, so it’s good to clear that up.
“He can concentrate on what we have put in place to make sure he has a really good summer before he comes back for preseason.
“We have waited this long so we have got to make sure he is right.”
Greater good
Had something happened on international duty and Dike wasn’t able to play at the start of next season it would have been insult on top of injury for Baggies fans.
The £7million January signing played last than 90 minutes in a West Brom shirt before his knee injury curtailed his season.
He is sure to be central to the club’s plans to make a run at promotion next year, and a further set back would have felt like that money was completely wasted.
Dike no doubt would like to feature for his country, and Berhalter would prefer to have him, but since the injury has already run longer than expected it wouldn’t have benefited anyone for him to come back too early.
According to The Athletic he will instead join long-term absentees in Portugal for a fitness camp ahead of the regular pre-season.
It is a positive resolution that the 21-year-old has been given the time to fully recover, and Bruce’s previous relationship with the USA coach may have helped the understanding, having briefly been at Crystal Palace together.
In other West Brom news, the club may be set to miss out on securing a deal for a player that wants to be at the Hawthorns next season.
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